Lions moving on

The regular season ended with a pair of losses for the Clear Lake boys.  Webster City and Algona put the Lions’ season record at 10-11 overall.  The team finished the regular season with an 8-7 record in the North Central Conference, good for fourth place.  Webster City led the way with a 12-1 NCC mark.  They were followed by Algona (11-2) and St. Ed’s (11-3).

The Lions faced St. Ansgar Monday night, Feb. 15, in Forest City.  With a win they advanced to play Osage at 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, at Osage.  The winner of that contest is slated to play at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, at a site to be determined.  Details of those post-season games will appear in next week’s Mirror-Reporter.

Webster City 64, CL 46

Webster City (16-2) showed why it sits atop the NCC.  The Lynx pulled away from the Lions in the second half for a 64-46 victory on Tuesday, Feb. 9.

“Playing the best team in conference at home, we knew it would be a challenge and it was,” said Coach Jeremy Ainley.  “We played a great first half defensively and made a little run to take the lead at the end of the half.  Unfortunately, their guards didn’t panic and came out in the second half and hit some shots and got into our defense for some easy baskets.”

Webster City held an 8-7 lead after the first quarter of play, but the Lions found more ways to score in the second and held a 23-22 advantage at the break.

The Lynx stepped up their offense for a big third quarter, outscoring the Lions 23-14.  Clear Lake was never able to regroup and the Lynx picked up an 18-point win.

“In the fourth quarter we were forced to foul and were not able to score enough to keep it close enough,” said Ainley.

 Zach Tatum played a solid game with 16 points and four rebounds.   Zach Lester and Thomas Storbeck were also in double figures with 12 points apiece.  Lester picked up 10 of his points at the free throw line, where he was 10/12.  The sophomore was also credited with six assists.

Parker Truesdell put in two points and had three steals, while Ryan Atkinson and Jarod Anderson came off the bench to score two and one point respectively. Parker Pitzen also scored one point.

Algona 69, CL 61

The Lions gave everything they had against another league leading opponent Thursday, Feb. 11.  Algona (16-4) used a big fourth quarter to escape with a 69-61 victory.

After getting down by as many as 13 early in the second quarter, the Lions showed great heart and resiliency and fought back to trail by one at half, 31-30.

The two teams played an even third quarter.  After numerous lead changes, the Lions and Bulldogs were tied at 50-50 heading into the final period.

“Unfortunately. They had a couple of players that made some big plays down the stretch and we missed a couple of opportunities,” said Coach Ainley.  The Bulldogs outscored the Lions 19-11 for the win.

“Thomas Storbeck played fantastic all around and had 22 points and four steals on defense,” noted Ainley.

Parker Truesdell shot the ball well and finished with 14 points.  Zach Lester scored seven points and had five assists and Jarod Anderson played a great all around game with six assists and one three made.

Zach Tatum scored nine for the Lions. Zach Lester finished with seven, Ryan Atkinson four and Justin Sholly two points.

“Overall we are not happy with the result, but happy with our effort,” said Coach Ainley.  “We are not pleased with where we sit overall at 10-11 after our regular season, but we understand that we have a chance to make it right again with a big run in the playoffs.”